Hay-fork mechanism.



G. G. SEARCY 6; W; D-. BARNHART.

HAY FORK MECHANISM.

APPLICATION men MAY 28, 1915.

LILW$5 Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

GEORGE G. SE-ARCY AND \VILLIAM D.

HAY-FORK MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.-

BARNHARZ- OF AMERICAN FALLS, IDAHO.'

Patented Jan. if, 1916.

Application filed May 28, 1915. Serial No. 31,048.-

full, clear, and exact description of the in vention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which-it appertains to make and usethe same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus forhandling hay or the like and is particularly directed to the provisionof a fork mechanism which is so constructed as to grip the hay and thenrelease it to dump the same.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a fork mechanismdescribed which may be suspended from a derrick or like structure, andwhich may readily be operated to release or grip the hay, it being morespecifically the object to provide such a fork mechanism which may beoperated either to gripping or releasing position through the medium ofthe suspension means therefor.

It is further the object to provide such a fork mechanism whichcomprises a relatively simple structure so that it will prove durableand eflicient in use, and may be manufactured at a comparatively lowcost.

Vith the above and other objects and advantages in view, the inventionresides more particularly in the novel combination, formation andarrangement of parts as more fully described and pointed out in theappended claim.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings wherein similar charactersof reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,and in which:

Figure l'is a side elevation of the improved fork mechanism. Fig. 2 is atop plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3.3 ofFig. 1, with the engaging portions of the tine members broken off, andFig. 4. is a vertical sectional view taken through the head portion ofthe device.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, there isprovided a pipe section 5 which forms the head portion of the forkmechanism, and which has provided thereon adjacent its lower end a forthe purpose collar 6, recessed to pivotally secure the ends of tine bars7. For actuating these members to and holding them in an extended oropen position, wherein theylie in a substantially horizontal plane, acollar 8 is slidably disposed on the shaft section, and has pivotedthereto links 9 which in turn are pivoted to outstanding arms 10 formedat the outer ends of said bars. A collar 11 is provided at the upper endof the pipe section, and slidably passed through openings 12 in this barare the arms of a yoke member 13- which is secured to the sliding collar8, and which has formed at its bight portion, an eye l l for securing asuspension rope thereto. The collar 8 is provided with a key 15 whichslides in a longitudinal groove 15' in the pipe member to preventturning of the collar. Thus when the device is extended from the yoke14, the arms will be drawn to open position.

The means for actuating the tine bars to closing position to hold a loadof hay comprises a plurality of cable members 16 which are secured toarms 17 on the inner faces of the tine bars, and which are spliced to amain cable 17 passed through the pipe section. The ower end of carriesa. plurality of pulleys 18' over which the cable sections are trained.Thus when the mechanism is suspended from the cable II, the tine barsare drawn together.

Each of the tine bars has bolted to its outer end a channel shapedsection 19 carrying a plurality of spaced inwardly curved fingers 20,the outer of said fingers having their attaching ends directed laterallyat 21 whereby they are secured to the portion 19. 95

To provide additional fingers on each tine arm, a second channel shapedmember 22 is provided and secured to the bar inwardly of the portion 19,and divergent arms 23 extend outwardly from terminate in fingers 2ilying outwardlyof and in substantially the plane of the fingers 20. Tohold the fingers in alinement and to strengthen them, a bar 25 isprovidedand is secured to the upper portions of the fingers by U bolts26. Thus a' tine structure is provided wherein the strain incident tooperation is distributed in such manner as to form an exceedinglyefficient and durable structure. i

From the foregoing it is seen that a device has been provided which willperform the functions set forth.

this pipe secti onv this member and' efiiciently I What is claimed is:branches at its lower end secured to the time 10 A fork mechanismcomprising a tubular members. head portion, a plurality of tine membersIn testimony whereof, we affix our signapivoted to one end portion ofthe head, a coltures, in the presence of two Witnesses. 5 lar slidableon thehead portion, links con- GEORGE G. SEARCY.

necting'the collar and the tine members, a WILLIAM D. BARNHART.suspension 'yoke secured to the collar and Witnesses:

. slidably held. at the other end of the head, 0. R. BAUM,

and a cable member slidable in the head and GRACE E. MGKINLEY.

I I flopiec of this patent may be obtained for live cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents v Washington. I). G.

